Jesic scores hat-trick as Jets youth thump AIS

JOSH LEESON17 Nov 2012, 4:41 p.m.

MALIGNED striker Marko Jesic gave Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond a reminder of his ability today when he scored a hat-trick in the youth side’s 7-0 demolition of the Australian Institute of Sport.

Jesic scores hat-trick as Jets youth thump AIS

MALIGNED striker Marko Jesic gave Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond a reminder of his ability today when he scored a hat-trick in the youth side’s 7-0 demolition of the Australian Institute of Sport.

Jesic was the sole over-age player in the youth side that dominated from the opening whistle at Wanderers Oval.

The youth Jets led 5-0 half-time with all goals coming in an opening 30-minute blitz, which included Jesic’s hat-trick.

Fellow striker Kale Bradbery also scored a hat-trick, with two of his goals scored in the second half.

Right back Andrew Hoole scored the opening goal following a superb cross from starting debutante Michael Kantarovski.

The victory was the Jets’ third win in five games and the under-17 AIS side’s heaviest defeat of the season.

Jesic, 23, is yet to play in the A-League this season after battling a leg injury.

The successful arrival of marquee man Emile Heskey and youngster Adam Taggart has further pushed the ex-Olyroo down the striker pecking order.

Albeit against weaker opposition, Jesic showed he is still lethal today scoring his first goal from a long-range shot, before snaring his last two by positioning himself in the box to knock in crosses.

“When we get a first-grader back here they should dominate and you couldn’t do too much more than what he did today,” Jets youth coach Clayton Zane said.

“The challenge for the older guys who want to get themselves back into the first team is obviously to perform, but they can’t choose the opposition they’re against.”

Winger Luke Remington and Bradbery were also strong for the Jets.

While pleased with the performance Zane was disappointed with the second half.

“The first 20 minutes was very good, but I think the lads probably lost their discipline a bit in the latter part of the first half,” he said.